Whistle physics

Whistle
1

I’m trying to learn a bit about whistle physics. I understand the basic concept of a resonant tube, etc. But I can’t get my head around how things like half-holing and cross fingerings work in a physics sense. Can anyone provide any pointers or insights?

2

Hi, Ben! Hang around and the tekkie dudes and dudettes will probably jump all over this one with pointers to URLs that will explain all. A place to start, however, would be here:
http://www.acoustics.org/press/132nd/5pmu9.html
While directed at pipe organs, this paper does a fine job of explaining the physics of resonant tubes - which both organ pipes and whistles are. In fact, organ pipes very closely resemble whistles in the way they’re built, too, making the paper even more relevant. I don’t recall who gave me this pointer at the moment, but it’s great!

Best wishes,
Bill Whedon

3

Hi!

The University of New South Wales (Down under) have quite a few good articles on music acoustics on line.

Here is a link to the flute section:


Flute](http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/fluteacoustics.html%22%3E%3Cb%3EFlute) acoustics

/MarcusR

Edit:
Something for Dale to ad to the Chiff Links page.

[ This Message was edited by: MR on 2002-10-30 03:30 ]

4

No physics involved-- whistles operate entirely by magic! :slight_smile:

5

Air Columns and Toneholes by Bart Hopkin http://www.windworld.com/emi/. He tells you how to do it by the most scientific methods and he also tells you how to get out your set of darts and start shooting for toneholes. It’s a good book.

I’m also working on a book that is about ready, I’m getting printing costs together will have it posted in a few days. About 50-60 pages. http://www.bingamon.com/books.htm


[ This Message was edited by: Daniel_Bingamon on 2002-10-30 07:34 ]

6

Ben!
There are hundred of entries on musical acoustics on the amazon.com book section. The only one I have any experience with is “Acoustical Aspects of Woodwind Instruments” by Cornelis Johannes Nederveen. It’s an updated version of his PhD thesis from the late sixties that has become a standard in university level acoustics. Covers fundamental woodwind acoustics, design, and most of all tuning. If you aren’t into engineering, physics or math it can be a bit hard to follow as it has quite a mathematical approach. So if you want to make whistles and simple flutes and don’t want to get too scientific, Daniels book seem to be the best of choices. As he is a frequent contributor to this board you’ll have the opportunity to discuss matters or ask him questions directly.


Daniel!
Your book looks very interesting and since I’m sucker for this kind of stuff, let me know when it’s ready to order.

Best regards,

MarcusR

Edit: rephrased a sentence and fixed a typo.


[ This Message was edited by: MR on 2002-10-30 09:34 ]

7

Actually, I do kinda have an engineering background, so I think I’ll look into the the book. Thanks everyone for the replies. You all have been very helpful, and I appreciate it.

  • Ben
8

Daniel_Bingamon didst scribe
“I’m also working on a book that is about ready, I’m getting printing costs together will have it posted in a few days. About 50-60 pages. http://www.bingamon.com/books.htm”

Don’t forget!
'Cos I want a copy :slight_smile: